Keyboard stand

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention describes a stand used to support a keyboard in an elevated position. The stand may be adjustable so that the angle at which the keyboard is positioned may be changed as desired by the user.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/453,692, filed on Dec.20, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,020.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Introduction

Computer operators and keypunch operators are constantly sitting infront of terminals for extended periods of time. Without taking frequentbreaks, operators usually complain of aches and pains in their arms andupper body. Injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome and pain in theshoulder, neck, arms and upper body can be traced to constant use ofstandard computer keyboards. It is an object of this invention toprovide a means of supporting the keyboard which alleviates the physicaldiscomfort commonly found with repetitive use of such keyboards.

2. Discussion of prior art

Soft tissue disorders, which include both repetitive motion and backinjuries, currently account for 39 percent of all United States workers'compensation claims. The annual accounting of occupational illnesses andinjuries, as reviewed in the Nov. 16, 1989 issue of the New York Times(A24), shows that reports of repetitive motion disorders have risen from18 percent in 1981 to 48 percent in 1988. People whose jobs entailfrequent computer use, including writers, computer programmers, dataentry operators and administrative personnel are considered at risk forcontracting these disorders. Back and neck pain are common complaintsassociated with typing motions for occasional keyboard users. This typepain can also be associated with the uncomfortable position in which thehands are held even over short periods of time.

The most common repetitive motion disorder is carpal tunnel syndrome. Itis a nerve condition of the wrist and fingers, often brought about whencomputer operators type for hours a day using repetitive wrist andfinger motions without proper support. The result is damage to themedian nerve, which passes from the arm through the wrist into the hand.The nerve supplies the thumb, index finger, middle finger and part ofthe ring finger with sensation and muscle control. Repeated wristmovements, such as word processing or data entry without proper support,can cause swelling and compress the median nerve. Symptoms includetingling or numb finger, pain in the thumb, index or middle finger, andaching or weakness in one or both arms. Severe CTS cases are oftencorrectable only by surgery. Once limited mostly to meat packers,poultry workers and pianists, it has become a common complaint amongworkers who use computers or computerized equipment.

Despite improvements in ergonomic design built into today's personalcomputer keyboards, users still face risk of musculoskeletal injuriesdirectly associated with keyboard use. These injuries are usuallyreferred to as repetitive strain injuries and include tendonitis,arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome and muscle spasms. These conditionsare the result of a combination of overuse and misalignment of theshoulders, elbows and wrist. Shoulder and neck injuries among keyboardusers is usually attributed to the table or chair being positioned toohigh or too low so that the shoulders are held in a crunch positionwhile working or arms have to be stretched to reach the keyboard,resulting in cumulative trauma to the shoulders.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,436 discloses a redesigned keyboard with handpositioning structures to eliminate awkward movements and contortions inthe hand position while operating a standard keyboard. The handpositioning structures function by the neuro-sensory process of twopoint discrimination. With minimal practice, use of the hand positioningstructures quickly functions at a subconscious reflex level. The handpositioning structures also provide bio-mechanical balance and symmetryfor the fingers and hands; improves keyboard operation; reduces operatorneuro-muscular stress and fatigue; and facilitates learning how tooperate a keyboard.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,903 discloses a redesigned keyboard to reduce stresson nerves and tendons in the wrist and hands. The redesigned keyboardevenly divides the keys to be within easy reach of both hands. Insteadof the unbroken array of keys in the standard keyboard, the center ofthe keyboard has a V-shaped division that moves the keys slightly to theleft and right. The division places the hands in a more natural positionthat reduces strain on hand tendons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Both of the above inventions require an increased economic cost alongwith having to relearn typing skills. The present invention provides alow cost means of reducing physical stress associated with repetitivetyping motions. The article of the present invention is portable and maybe adjusted to any angle considered to be comfortable for the operator.The adjustable feature allows the user to change the angle of thekeyboard to prevent continuously holding the hands in any one positionfor a prolonged length of time. It also aids in maintaining visual focuson the display screen and visibility of function keys.

More specifically, this invention relates to a means of supporting acomputer keyboard in a position which is comfortable for the user andwhich, relieves physical discomfort associated with constantly sittingin front of a computer screen. It provides a stand for adjusting theangle of the keyboard so that the hands are not always in the sameposition during continued use and the shoulders are held in a naturalrelaxed position.

The stand is sturdy so that it absorbs the motion associated withtyping. Also provided is a means of preventing the stand from slidingside-to-side during typing. The level of adjustment may be at any anglethe user chooses and also provides a means of placing the keyboard in amore direct line of vision for the user.

While the disclosed invention may be used to support a computerkeyboard, it is also envisioned that the same stand may be used tosupport other type keyboards including musical keyboards.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed invention may be illustrated by the following descriptionsof the drawings. The drawings are to be taken as mere examples and notas limitations to the practice of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric showing of a stand in accordance with theembodiments of the invention. It shows a typical stand constructed froma solid material such as plastic. The stand comprises a keyboard support(1) to which are pivotally attached bases (2) equipped with tracks (3)containing recesses for supporting a rigid member (4) in a fixedposition. The rigid member is also pivotally attached to the support.Adjustment are made to the angle of elevation by moving the supportingmembers forward or backward in the track. The base has attached anelastic foot (5) to provide frictional stability. The keyboard supportmay be covered with an anti-static material or sprayed to provide ameans of dissipating static build-up.

FIG. 2 shows a stand formed from a curved rod (11). This embodiment isnot adjustable since the angle at which the keyboard is held is fixed.The keyboard is secured to the stand by means of the hooked portions(12) of the rod. Elastic tubes are used as friction pads (13) to preventmovement of the keyboard on the stand and of the stand on the surface onwhich it is placed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a stand made of one (21) or more (22) semi-rigid foamwedges. The angle of support for each wedge is fixed, but the angles maybe adjusted by interconnecting two or more wedges of selected angles.The wedges are connected by means of fasteners (23), velcro strips ordouble-faced tape so that the angles are easily changed. A plastic lip(24) is attached into the bottom wedge to hold the keyboard in place,however, the keyboard could be held in place by means of an indentationformed in the top wedge.

FIGS. 4-7 show other means of elevating or adjusting the height or angleof the keyboard support. FIG. 4 shows the keyboard support (31) attachedto a rigid member (32) having perforations that align with perforationsin the second rigid member (33). The two rigid members are thenconnected using a fastener (34). For stability, a similar arrangement islocated is a similar position on the opposite end of the keyboardsupport.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of FIG. 4 in which both rigidmembers (41) are pivotally attached to the keyboard support (42) andform an angle (43) with said support. An elastic boot (4) is placed onthe bottom of the lower rigid member for frictional stability.

FIG. 6 shows the keyboard support (51) attached to a rod (52) which isinserted into a base (53) containing a threaded perforation (54) throughwhich a thumb screw (55) is inserted and when tightened presses againstsaid rod to hold the rod at the desired position. An elastic boot (56)is placed on the base to provide frictional stability.

FIG. 7 illustrates a means of adjusting by which the keyboard support(61) is connected to a vertical member (62) which is connected to a"u-shaped" member (63) having perforations in the non-curved surfaces(64) which face each other. A base rod (65) is inserted through theperforations, said rod having a frictionally responsive surface whichprovides a grip for holding the u-shaped member at the desired position.The angle of support is adjusted by compressing the bottom part of theu-shaped member and moving it up or down on the base rod. The base rodhas an elastic boot (66) to make it frictionally stable on the surfaceon which it sits. The base rod also has an enlarged end (67) forretention of the rod in the perforations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The stand may be constructed out of any material which does notinterfere with the electrical operation of the keyboard and thecomputer. The material may be non-conductive or conductive, if a meansfor grounding is provided. The preferred materials include plastic,wood, and semi-rigid foam.

The stand may be made anti-static by use of anti-static agentsincorporated into the semi-rigid foam or by coating the stand with ananti-static agent when the stand is made from other materials. Examplesof suitable anti-static coatings are given in U.S. Pat. No.'s 2,891,878and 3,914,496, incorporated herein by reference.

The angle between the base of the stand and the supporting member of thestand may be adjusted from zero degrees to ninety degrees, as determinedby the user. Preferred angles of choice are between 10 and 50 degrees.The most preferred angles being between 35 and 40 degrees.

The means of adjustment may be accomplished by a variety of techniques.For example, the adjustment may be made by moving the supporting membersforward or backward on a track containing recessed grooves to hold thesupports in a fixed position. When the stand is constructed in fixedangles, adjustments may be made by interconnecting more than one standin stacked positions.

The stand is held in a frictionally stable position on the desk or tabletop on which it is placed by means of non-skid materials which mayinclude semi-rigid foam, urethane or other non-skid materials placed onthe bottom of the stand.

The keyboard is held in place on the stand by means of a lip, eithercontinuous or discontinuous, placed along the bottom edge of thesupport. Other means of securing the keyboard may include curved hookswhen the stand is formed from a curved rod.

What is claimed is:
 1. In combination, a computer keyboard and a standfor altering the angle of said computer keyboard, said combinationcomprising:(a) said keyboard support; (b) said computer keyboard on saidsupport; (c) means for elevating one side of said support in an upwardmanner thereby changing the angle of said computer keyboard and saidsupport; (d) means for securing said computer keyboard on said support;and (e) means for frictionally stabilizing said combination to preventsaid combination from side-to-side movement in use.
 2. The combinationof claim 1 wherein the means for elevating said support in an upwardmanner comprises at least one vertical tube having a slideable rodtherein and means to secure said rod within said tube.
 3. The stand ofclaim 2 having a static dissipative capability.
 4. The combination ofclaim 3 wherein said stand is coated with a static dissipative material.5. The stand of claim 2 wherein said stand is made of material chosenfrom the group consisting essentially of wood, semi-rigid foam andpolymeric material.
 6. The stand of claim 1 wherein said stand is formedfrom a curved rod.
 7. The stand of claim 6 wherein said curved rod ismade of plastic.
 8. The stand of claim 6 wherein said means offrictionally stabilizing comprises elastic tubing on portions of saidrod.
 9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means for elevating oneside of said support is a rigid member forming an angle of less than 90°with said means of elevation.
 10. The stand of claim 9 wherein saidangle is between 30 and 45 degrees.
 11. The stand of claim 1 where saidmeans of elevating is adjustable.
 12. The stand of claim 1 wherein saidmeans of elevating comprises at least one wedge attached to saidsupport.
 13. The stand of claim 1 wherein said support and means ofelevating said keyboard comprise at least one wedge.
 14. The stand ofclaim 1 wherein said stand comprises a plurality of wedges.
 15. Thecombination of claim 1 wherein said means of securing said computerkeyboard to said support is a lip.
 16. The stand of claim 11 whereinsaid adjustable elevation comprises at least 2 rigid members havingmultiple perforations, and being connected with a rigid fastenerinserted into said perforations.
 17. The stand of claim 16 wherein saidfastener is chosen from the group comprising a peg, a screw or a thumbnut.
 18. The stand of claim 16 wherein at least one of said rigidmembers is attached pivotally to said support.
 19. The stand of claim 16wherein said rigid members are parallel.
 20. The stand of claim 16wherein said rigid members form a triangle with said support.
 21. Thestand of claim 14 wherein said means of elevation further comprises:(a)at least one first rigid member attached pivotally to said means ofsupport, and (b) at least one second member attached pivotally to saidmeans of support wherein said first member engages said second member ata point opposite said pivot.
 22. The stand of claim 11 wherein saidmeans of elevation further comprises:(a) at least one first rigid memberattached pivotally to said means of support, and (b) at least one secondmember attached pivotally to said means of support wherein said firstmember engages said second member at a point opposite said pivot. 23.The stand of claim 11 wherein said material comprising said means ofelevating is flexible and said means of elevating comprises:(a) at leastone vertical member connected to said support; (b) a "u-shaped" memberconnected at one end to each said vertical member and having a pair ofperforations in the non-curved surfaces facing each other, eachnon-curved surface being parallel to the other; and (c) a rod insertedbetween said perforations, said rod having a frictionally responsivesurface.
 24. The stand of claim 23 wherein said rod has enlarged endsfor retention of said rod.
 25. The stand of claim 11 wherein said meansof elevating comprises:(a) at least one vertical member; (b) a tubehaving a vertical axis and one threaded horizontal perforation bonded toeach said vertical member; (c) a rod inserted into said tube; and (d) athumb screw inserted into said threaded perforation which when tightenedpresses against said rod.
 26. The stand of claim 1 wherein said means ofsecuring is at least one hook.
 27. The combination of claim 2 where saidmeans to secure said rod within said tube comprises a threaded memberpassing through a portion of said tube.
 28. The combination of claim 1wherein said means of securing is a discontinuous lip.
 29. A method foraltering the angle of a computer keyboard, said method comprising thesteps ofsupporting said computer keyboard on a keyboard support, saidkeyboard support having means to elevate one side of said supporttogether with one side of said keyboard in an upward manner and means tosecure said keyboard to said support; elevating one side of said supportbearing said keyboard; and securing said keyboard to said support andfrictionally stabilizing said keyboard on said support to preventside-to-side movement during use.